A review by actualresultsmayvary
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

challenging lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

There was lots in Oliver that I enjoyed and Dicken's episodic writing style really works for me. The book is quite significantly different from what I remember of the film/play but then they are parts which are word for word the songs; the scene with the Bumbles which echos Widow Corney's Parlour was particularly fun to read. 
I felt that the characterisations lacked depth at times and the morality was a bit heavy handed. I was also surprised by the extent to which Oliver isn't really a protagonist in the later half of the book and the story is more a series of plots between the adults. The plot itself was also really quite silly with a reliance on coincidence which was far past my ability to suspend disbelief.
By far the most jarring part of the reading experience was the antisemitism and the constant referring to Fagin as 'the Jew'. It was absolutely relentless and I think Dicken's almost relied more on that than on character work to make Fagin a villain. 
Overall, it's interesting to read the original but I don't think it's Dicken's best work and I prefer the musical.